PEM fuel cell stack hydrogen distribution insert

Abstract

A fluid distribution insert adapted to be received within an inlet header of a fuel cell assembly. The fluid distribution insert includes a hollow insert with a first end and a second end. An inlet is formed at the first end of the hollow insert in fluid communication with a source of a reactant gas and adapted to receive the reactant gas therein. An outlet is formed intermediate the first end and the second end. The outlet is adapted to deliver the reactant gas to a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly, wherein the hollow insert delivers the reactant gas to the fuel cells in a substantially simultaneous and uniform manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fluid distribution insert for a fuel cell assembly comprising:
 a hollow inner tube at least partially surrounded by an outer tube, the hollow inner tube including a first end, a second end, and an inlet configured to receive a fluid therein; 
 at least one wall section, in cooperation with a lip, extending outwardly from an outer surface of the hollow inner tube to form a flow channel thereon; and 
 at least one outlet formed in the hollow inner tube within the flow channel, the at least one outlet configured to provide fluid communication between an interior of the hollow inner tube and the flow channel, wherein the flow channel delivers the fluid to a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly at a substantially constant pressure, and wherein the fluid distribution insert is configured to be received within an inlet header of the fuel cell assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The fluid distribution insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow inner tube includes a plurality of sections along a length thereof, each of the sections including a flow path therethrough, and wherein a plurality of the outlets is formed in the hollow inner tube, each of the sections including one of the outlets. 
     
     
       3. The fluid distribution insert according to  claim 2 , further comprising a compartment formed in the interior of the hollow inner tube in at least one of the sections, wherein the compartment reduces a volume of the flow path through the at least one of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
       4. The fluid distribution insert according to  claim 2 , further comprising a fluid passageway formed in the interior of the hollow inner tube in each of the sections, the fluid passageway providing fluid communication between the flow path through the sections and the outlet, wherein a length of the fluid passageway is shortened in each successive section moving away from the first end of the hollow inner tube. 
     
     
       5. The fluid distribution insert according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer tube includes a plurality of apertures formed therein, and wherein the at least one wall section of the hollow inner tube abuts an inner surface of the outer tube to maintain the inner surface of the outer tube spaced apart from the outer surface of the hollow inner tube. 
     
     
       6. A fuel cell assembly comprising:
 a first end plate and a spaced apart second end plate; 
 a plurality of fuel cells disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate; 
 an inlet header in fluid communication with the fuel cells for supplying a reactant gas to the fuel cells; and 
 a fluid distribution insert configured to be received within the inlet header of the fuel cell assembly, the fluid distribution insert including a hollow inner tube and an outer tube surrounding at least a portion of the hollow inner tube, wherein the hollow inner tube includes a first end, a second end, an inlet configured to receive the reactant gas therein, at least one wall section, in cooperation with a lip, extending outwardly from an outer surface of the hollow inner tube to form a flow channel thereon, and at least one outlet formed within the flow channel configured to provide fluid communication between an interior of the hollow inner tube and the flow channel, and wherein the flow channel delivers the reactant gas to the inlet header of the fuel cell assembly at a substantially constant pressure along a length thereof. 
 
     
     
       7. The fuel cell assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the hollow inner tube includes a plurality of sections along a length thereof, each of the sections including a flow path therethrough, and wherein a plurality of the outlets is formed in the hollow inner tube, each of the sections including one of the outlets. 
     
     
       8. The fuel cell assembly according to  claim 7 , further comprising a compartment formed in the interior of the hollow inner tube in at least one of the sections, wherein the compartment reduces a volume of the flow path through the at least one of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
       9. The fuel cell assembly according to  claim 7 , further comprising a fluid passageway formed in the interior of the hollow inner tube in each of the sections, the fluid passageway providing fluid communication between the flow path through the at least one of the sections and the outlet, wherein a length of the fluid passageway is shortened in each successive section moving away from the first end of the hollow inner tube. 
     
     
       10. The fuel cell assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the outer tube includes a plurality of apertures formed therein, and wherein the at least one wall section of the hollow inner tube abuts an inner surface of the outer tube to maintain the inner surface of the outer tube spaced apart from the outer surface of the hollow inner tube. 
     
     
       11. A fluid distribution insert for a fuel cell assembly comprising:
 a hollow inner tube with a first end, a second end, and an inlet formed at the first end configured to receive a fluid therein; 
 at least one lip and wall element extending outwardly from an outer surface of the hollow inner tube; 
 an outer tube surrounding at least a portion of the hollow inner tube, the outer tube including a plurality of apertures formed therein, wherein the at least one lip and wall element of the hollow inner tube abuts an inner surface of the outer tube to maintain the inner surface of the outer tube spaced apart from the outer surface of the hollow inner tube, thereby forming at least one flow channel defined at least in part by the outer surface of the hollow inner tube, the inner surface of the outer tube, and the at least one lip and wall element; and 
 at least one outlet formed in the hollow inner tube, the outlet configured to provide fluid communication between an interior of the hollow inner tube and the at least one flow channel, wherein the at least one flow channel delivers the fluid to a plurality of fuel cells of the fuel cell assembly at a substantially constant pressure, wherein the fluid distribution insert is configured to be received within an inlet header of the fuel cell assembly. 
 
     
     
       12. The fluid distribution insert according to  claim 11 , wherein the hollow inner tube includes a plurality of sections along a length thereof, each of the sections including a flow path therethrough, and wherein a plurality of the outlets is formed in the hollow inner tube, each of the sections including one of the outlets. 
     
     
       13. The fluid distribution insert according to  claim 12 , further comprising a compartment formed in the interior of the hollow inner tube in at least one of the sections, wherein the compartment reduces a volume of the flow path through the at least one of the plurality of sections. 
     
     
       14. The fluid distribution insert according to  claim 12 , further comprising a fluid passageway formed in the interior of the hollow inner tube in each of the sections, the fluid passageway providing fluid communication between the flow path through the sections and the outlet, wherein a length of the fluid passageway is shortened in each successive section moving away from the first end of the hollow inner tube.